®Planning appeal decision
Land at Pond Farm, Pond Farm Road, Borden Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8LL
the erection of 6no. dwellings with associated parking provision, utilising existing highway access with pedestrian access, landscaping and other ancillary works
- Authority
- Swale Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Davies N
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the site is suitable for the proposed development, having regard to the spatial strategy of the development plan, the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area and access to services and facilities
- The effect of the proposed development on the character or appearance of Borden (The Street) Conservation Area and the setting of the nearby Listed Building, Yew Tree Cottage
What decided it
The less than substantial harm to designated heritage assets (the Conservation Area and the setting of Yew Tree Cottage) provides a clear reason for refusal under paragraph 11d)(i) of the Framework, which outweighs the modest public benefits of housing delivery in the context of a shortfall in housing land supply.
The modest public benefits of six dwellings, modest employment during construction, potential support for the rural economy, ecological gain, and council tax revenue were insufficient to outweigh the less than substantial harm to the Conservation Area and the setting of Yew Tree Cottage, combined with the harm to character and appearance and unsustainable location.
Framework references: 11, 202
Plan policies cited: Policy ST1, Policy ST3, Policy CP3, Policy DM14, Policy CP8, Policy DM32, Policy DM33
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.